April 15, 2023 - Dark cherry flavors - definitely, with a bold body, mild acidity, lasting finish. I am surprised at the low score. This is almost equal to Domaine Carneros Famous Gate pinot. Just consumed this bottle and it was still going with both flavor and aromas. However, it is drinking great now!
February 15, 2014 - Not as good as the 2007s I've had last year. The 2008 was missing something: the ominous taste of a good P-N that separates it from all other varietals.
November 27, 2013 - Great wine value.
January 6, 2013 - Cherries, cranberries on the nose with a hint of spice. Fruit forward with a cola taste and a nice soft finish. Nice Pinot for the money.
November 22, 2012 - Nothing special. Easy drinking fruit forward. Drink now
June 16, 2012 - Thin and running out of time. Drink now.
May 5, 2012 - - Crimsom color and aromas of raspberry and cherry. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of cherry, raspberry and smokey with a medium body. Round texture with a medium finish.
April 6, 2012 - Got this bottle from the winery's wine club for $22.40 in March 2010 and drank with salmon steaks in a miso paste marinade and fresh veggies (also cooked with white miso).
This is a FANTASTIC affordable Pinot. The bouquet is absolutely gorgeous; there is a beautiful floral quality, along with oak, spice, earth, and dark fruits.
This is CLASSIC Central California Pinot Noir. Up-front, there's red and dark fruit (cherries, raspberries, plums, and blackberries), the usual Pinot spices (black pepper and savory herbs like rosemary), oak and oak-infused vanilla notes, along with an earthy, mushroomy quality. The mid-palate is very Burgundian, exhibiting grace and elegance via depth-of-flavors and complexity that just about any other Pinot at this price point on the planet could only dream of approaching. The finish is smooth, well-balanced, and lingers for the perfect amount of time.
I don't believe I've ever had a sub-$30 bottle of Pinot nearly this good. Yes, I have had other good, affordable Pinots (Byron, for instance (not too far from Fess!)), but this varietal from this vintage from this producer at this price is BY FAR the best Pinot I've had!
If you're looking for a sub-$30 Pinot that is beautifully well-balanced, exhibits fantastic depth-of-flavors, has a gorgeous bouquet, and is extremely food friendly, look no further than Fess' cheapest, most basic Pinot Noir. Thank God we have another bottle!!
September 13, 2011 - I am usually very fond of Santa Barbara County and Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir. Not so much this one, especially not at this price ($28). This tastes like a $10 bottle to me. Too much oak for my palate. On the plus side, nice look, nice nose, nice mouthfeel, and with promise on the front. But at the end, not at all impressive.
July 3, 2011 - Santa Barbara Trip - July 2011; 7/1/2011-7/6/2011: Tasted at the winery. Expressive nose of smoke, black cherry cola, strawberry and flowers. Nice mouthfeel. Red fruits - cran & rasberry on the palate. A good dose of oak that is slightly distracting at the end.